Takoyaki

Author: Ryusui
Raw: https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2121hw/48/
Translator: Lilia v4
Editor: Yuriko AYA

While we walk they give me a simple self-introduction. The woman is Keiko, the man is Jirou, apparently. Both of them finished work and were thinking of going somewhere to eat.

“Was it okay that I got in the way?”
“It’s fine it’s fine! Rather, going out with Rita-chan is definitely the first and last time!”
“This is more something to brag about too. Ah, a photo later, okay?”
“Mm. Fine.”
“All right.”

If a photo makes them happy, that much is fine.
Then about ten minutes of walking. What they guide me to is a shop on the first floor of a small building. The whole first floor is used by the shop, and after you buy you can eat inside too, they say.

“Old man, we’re here.”
“Good evening!”
“Ohh, you two. Welcome.”

The one cooking is a slightly scary-faced uncle. Scary-faced, but he’s greeting the two with a smile. A friendly person who makes me remember the uncle at the guild in my world.

“Oh? One more today. Your kid?”
“No way.”
“Huh? Wait, old man, you don’t know this kid?”
“Don’t know her?”

‘For real’
‘Well not everyone watches TV, so people like this exist too I guess’

“Then old man, three packs of eight, with sauce.”
“Got it.”

When the uncle moves the skewer in his hand, something heating on a strangely shaped iron plate flips around. These round things are takoyaki, apparently.
He flips them several times quickly and lines them up neatly in a white container. Once eight are in, he pours plenty of a pitch-black, good-smelling sauce. Mayonnaise, and then sprinkling various other things.

‘Aosa, katsuobushi. Some people don’t put them on depending on taste’
‘Plain with nothing is good too I think’
‘Nothing depends on the batter, maybe’

Hmm… I can think of this as regular takoyaki for now, maybe.
Here, I take the takoyaki I’m handed. Steam is rising and it looks really hot, but the smell of the sauce makes me hungry. I can tell without eating. This is definitely delicious.

“Rita-chan, it’s hot so be careful.”

Jirou warns me, so I nod. I’ll try one. About this much should be fine. Thinking that I bite, and the inside is hotter than I expected.

“Hafu… nn…”
“I told you.”

Keiko laughs, and Jirou and the uncle laugh looking like they’re having fun too. A little embarrassing, but it’s delicious. Yeah. Simple, but I think it’s really good.
The outside is crispy and fragrant, and when I bite something gooey spills out. The sauce flavor is really rich too. The texture is fun and the taste is good. I get why everyone recommends it.

‘Crap I want takoyaki now’
‘Frozen takoyaki is fine too but freshly grilled is something else. I want some’
‘Maybe I should go eat…’

Mm. That’s good. It’s delicious.
The eight are gone in no time. They were delicious so I’m satisfied.

“Good appetite, missy. Felt good watching.”
“Mm. It was really delicious.”
“Hahaha! Best compliment!”

By the way, the uncle cuts off and looks around. What’s wrong, I check around too. Somehow there are a lot more people. Like they’re peeking at us, or something.
Keiko and Jirou notice too, and both start getting flustered.

“Crap, we took too long.”
“Sorry old man, it’s gonna get pretty busy but do your best!”
“Eh. No wait what do you…”
“Then Rita-chan, let’s go next!”
“This way!”

Jirou hurriedly eats his takoyaki and starts walking, and Keiko pulls my hand and I follow. A little forceful, but with these people I think it’s fine to go together.
I glance back, and lots of people are trying to buy takoyaki. Is that… okay…?

 

“Rita-chan, sorry. One more, can we go?”
“Mm. Fine.”
“Thanks!”

Then where they take me is a small shop. A shop under the elevated tracks where trains run. This is where they were originally going to eat, they say.

“The okonomiyaki here is crazy good.”
“You’ll like it too for sure, Rita-chan!”
“Mm.”

The takoyaki earlier was delicious too, so maybe I can trust them.
I follow the two inside, and it’s a shop with only three tables. There’s an iron plate set in the center of the table. According to Keiko, that’s what you grill okonomiyaki on.
Hmm… Unlike takoyaki, this is a flat iron plate. I wonder what kind of dish okonomiyaki is. I’m a little curious. I want to eat soon.

“Auntie! I’ll have pork-and-egg!”
“I’ll have modanyaki!”
“Coming!”

That voice from the back of the shop. Who comes out is a middle-aged auntie. The auntie looks at the two and smiles happily, then looks at me and her eyes go wide.

“Well now. You’re that famous kid. They were just on TV now.”
“Mm. I’m Rita. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you. What would you like, Rita-chan?”
“Mm… I don’t know.”
“Well of course.”

The auntie laughs without a care. She seems kind. The auntie thinks a little, then

“Then let’s keep it simple with pork-and-egg. Ah, right. I’ll put mochi in too. It’s good.”

Wait a bit, she says, and goes to the back of the shop again.
Um… What should I do. Just wait for now?

“Rita-chan, over here over here.”
“Come on, sit here.”

Keiko prompts me and I sit in a chair. Jirou and Keiko sit across from me.
After that, just wait? Is waiting enough?